Alastair Cook3/10

154 runs in six innings, including three single-figure dismissals, the leanest match of his career in his 99th Test in Adelaide, and a golden duck in his 100th in Perth. Such a contrast to 2010-11, and as captain he is inevitably bearing the brunt – admirably, at least off the field.

What next? Carry on captain, presuming you want to

Michael Carberry5/10

Has looked encouragingly capable and solid in reaching double figures in five of his six innings, but inability to convert to the big scores that England need must be a worry, even if a couple of his dismissals have been unfortunate. Also undermined his reputation for fielding brilliance by dropping Brad Haddin, with horrible consequences, in Adelaide.

What next? Needs a big score to convince that he's a long-term opening option

Jonathan TrottN/A

Two failures against Mitchell Johnson in Brisbane, then flew home because of a stress-related illness.

What next? Hopefully a return with Warwickshire next summer. But an England comeback must be highly unlikely

Kevin Pietersen3/10

Best performance of the series so far came at the press conference ahead of his 100th Test in Brisbane. Five out of his six dismissals have been caught on the leg-side, with the latest, lofting Nathan Lyon to long-on, beating off stiff competition as the most brainless.

What next? A dominant, match-shaping first-innings performance in Melbourne

Ian Bell5/10

England's leading run-scorer, albeit with only 190, and at a reasonable-sounding average of 38, but he won't be happy with that. Also guilty of a couple of slack dismissals, against Steve Smith in Adelaide and Peter Siddle in Perth.

What next? Perhaps a move up to No3, giving him more chance to shape the game rather than fire-fight?

Joe Root5/10

A mildly encouraging second innings in Brisbane followed by England's most substantial knock of the series in Adelaide – until Ben Stokes's heroics in Perth – has confirmed the baby-faced Yorkshireman has steel. But can still appear worryingly strokeless, and needs to think more before he calls for a review.

What next? Take him out of the firing line slightly to No5, where he might get to face some more spin

Ben Stokes8/10

At last, in the last three sessions of the third Test, England saw a silver lining among the clouds that have engulfed their tour. Stokes had already shown spirit and potential with bat and ball in a statistically modest debut in Adelaide, and lifted his bowling to another level following the injury to Broad in Perth, but his century in the second innings was a thing of wonder.

What next? Presumably booked in for the rest of the series, which few would have predicted even two weeks ago

Matt Prior3/10

Fought hard in the second innings in both Adelaide and Perth, to offer a hint of rediscovering his batting form after a shocking spell, but still a shadow of the player who was described as the world's best keeper-batsman in April, and even his glovework has shown signs of deterioration.

What next? Probably done enough to retain his place for Melbourne, but even as vice captain, questions are now being asked

Graeme Swann3/10

Seven wickets at 80 apiece, and going for pretty much four runs per over, are grim statistics that underline how ruthlessly, and effectively, Australia have targeted one of England's key figures when he is vulnerable in unfavourable conditions. Mitchell Johnson's pace has also asked uncomfortable questions of his accepted status as an all-rounder.

What next? Hard to see anything other than more pain

Monty Panesar4/10

Not disgraced in what seems likely to be his only appearance of the series in Adelaide, but not able to make much of an impact either – maybe it may have been different had Carberry caught Haddin. Admirably gutsy with the bat.

What next? Drinks carrying, unless Swann is injured or dropped

Jimmy Anderson3/10

Conceding 28 runs in his last over in Perth, and therefore joining Robin Petersen in the Test record books, put the tin lid on a miserable three matches for the Lancastrian, in which he has paid a heavy penalty for the pain he has inflicted on Australia in the last three Ashes series. At least Johnson has yet to break his focken' arm.

What next? Will pray for some swing in Melbourne or Sydney

Stuart Broad6/10

Outstanding first day of the series, and has continued to be England's most consistent wicket-taker since, although his respectable figures in the first innings in Perth masked a profligate performance. Batting has been a huge disappointment, with an uneasiness against Johnson and a dreadful second-innings dismissal, hooking in Adelaide.

What next? Don't grumble about the Johnson-inflicted injury to his right foot, and lead a fightback in Melbourne

Chris Tremlett4/10

Surprising inclusion as third seamer in Brisbane, where he was a shadow of the bowler who terrorised Australia three years ago – although that was no surprise to anyone who saw him bowling for Surrey in the summer.

What next? Looked lively in the nets in Perth, but the suspicion is that England will give Boyd Rankin a chance if they decide it is time to play one of the big boys

Tim Bresnan3/10

One of the seamers slammed by the bowling coach David Saker for their first-day performance in Perth, raising questions about the wisdom of throwing him straight into Test cricket after a single appearance since August, and that a low-key outing for the Performance Programme in Brisbane

What next? Will hope to hold his place for Melbourne on the basis of his stunning display there three Boxing Days ago